Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-01-14
NUMBER XXI.
II BREEZY LETTER.
HOW the Folks on Salmon Riyer
Enjoyed the Holidays.
ptsit of Santa Claus,
Etc. Etc.
JOHN DAYS CREEK, I. T.,o
Iapnarxy Gth 1907

| N, L.. L..
January 9th 1887.
EDITOR Press Our little corner of
the world is visited weekly by your
CHEEKY paper. In spite of its youth we
should be sorry if it failed to make its
regular appearance, just once. 1t is
only right that We should help fll it's
columns with an account of our doinps
here.
On the afternoon of December "a, 1886
saddle horses we're coming from every
direction, bringing friends of Mr.. and
Mrs. Phil Cleary to join in the Christ
mas festivities. After splendid supper
such as "You jake" the we'll known
cook at John Days" know how to
prepare, all adjourned to the little
cottage across the creek, which is used
for school-house. Here they found a
beautiful Christmas tree illuminated
and filed With presents. It's artistic
arrangement displayed the good taste of
Misses Sherwin and Elfers. Mrs.
Walsh called on each of her pupils to
recite, read or sing something for the
entertainment of the guests. Miss
Elfers read "My sisters beau :" Paul
Colemant recited, "Where there's
will there's way" Willie Deasy told
how much good or harm may be done
in small ways, and also proved that a
Little boy like him can speak,"
Little Roy Walsh seemed to enjoy
relating his dream, in which he made
bard times for "Poor Grandpapa." Miss
Mamie Efers warned all against, allow
ing Anger" to enter the heart. Miss
Masie Walsh recited poem expressing
pity for all homeless ones. Lena Gotz-
niger rected
Work while you work,
Play while you play"
Henry Elfers made everybody laugh
with his comcal song "Yow, VOW, yow."
Eddie Walsh sang Joe Hardy" and'
Miss Kittie Elfers recited that welli
known poem, "'Twas the night befores
Christmas" All did we'll.
Just as the last piece was finished,. a.
great sounding of horns and tinkling, of
bells announced the approach of Santa.
Claus. How the young eyes dilated anda
sparkled, these with welcome, and those
with timid fear. When expectation was
at its height the door opened, and
Santa" came in, with bound. Just
such jolly, red-cheeked, red-nosed
fellow as the poet "Moore" describes
His hair and whiskers we're full of snow
or something that looked like it. or
course he wanted to get acquainted with,
the young folks, but the youngest ones
objected to his getting very close. After
dispensing the presents, in which even
the old bachelors were remembered,
Santa Claus bid all "Good- night" and
'Merry Christmas" and exclaiming
MY Golly how it SHOWS he went out
leaving the little ones with their laps
and hands full.
After he had gone the guests returned
to the big house, where Mr.. Jesse Far
mer and Mr.. Charlie Cone, with violin
and accordeon, discoursed inspiring
strains which set all feet in motion. At
midnight we were invited to lunch of
cold chicken, ham, pickles, cakes, pies
T and coffee, and afterwards dancing was
resumed until morning. There were
over sixty people at the dance, and all
| seemed to enjoy themselves.
On new-year's eve another party was
held at Mr.. and Mrs. Mike Deasy's
, where we had An excellent dinner of
| roast turkey, chicken, ham and all the
, accompaniments, pickles, pies, cakes
and coffee. Any who have enjoyed
Mrs. DIS cooking will know what a
treat we had.
E After dinner we sat around and
chatted until the musician came, when
> we were invited to Dance the old year
q out, and the new year in; )" and we did,
to the best OF our ability. Mr.. VIM.
. Darrow gave us good music until after
midnight, when an accident to the
q violin obliged him to stop playing.
f Our genial host did not intend we
e should stop dancing, SO he procured the
e services of Prof. Jack Bolton, who, with
$ his able assistant Marion Worden, gave
|, us music that was not to be "Sneezed
= at" At day ybreak we dispersed, feeling
u that we had a jolly beginning to the
e Glad new year,
e OREsTEs.